Petrol mower around £150
Discussion
Folks,
Appreciate I won't get much but I'm in need of a petrol mower... have a bit isolated grass, too far for electric and quite rough / uncut though grass is short enough for a mower.
I'm not looking for a Wimbledon grade lawn, just something robust and reliable. Self propelled isn't a huge requiement and I don't need stripes etc but adjustable height with a lever would be good.
I know the budget is entry level machines and fairly small but that'd suffice. In a bit of a hurry so thinking of the usual DIY stores, Screwfix, Machine Mart etc...
Any recommendations or ones to avoid?
Thanks
Appreciate I won't get much but I'm in need of a petrol mower... have a bit isolated grass, too far for electric and quite rough / uncut though grass is short enough for a mower.
I'm not looking for a Wimbledon grade lawn, just something robust and reliable. Self propelled isn't a huge requiement and I don't need stripes etc but adjustable height with a lever would be good.
I know the budget is entry level machines and fairly small but that'd suffice. In a bit of a hurry so thinking of the usual DIY stores, Screwfix, Machine Mart etc...
Any recommendations or ones to avoid?
Thanks
Honda and or Mountfield.
I have an old Mountfield which came with a Honda engine and it has outlasted so many cheaper brands owned by my parents.
I think the latest mountfields may not be quite as well made as the old ones though. Honda mowers are supposed to be good, but not cheap.
Looking at Screwfix they have a Mountfield 39cm 123cc petrol mower for £160. The Mountfields with the branded motors are more expensive though.
After years of buying new cheap mowers my father recently picked up an almost new Mountfield 46cm with briggs and stratton motor for just over £100 and he has commented on the better quality.
I have an old Mountfield which came with a Honda engine and it has outlasted so many cheaper brands owned by my parents.
I think the latest mountfields may not be quite as well made as the old ones though. Honda mowers are supposed to be good, but not cheap.
Looking at Screwfix they have a Mountfield 39cm 123cc petrol mower for £160. The Mountfields with the branded motors are more expensive though.
After years of buying new cheap mowers my father recently picked up an almost new Mountfield 46cm with briggs and stratton motor for just over £100 and he has commented on the better quality.
What about secondhand? Loking on Gumtree there's quite a few for sale very cheap including a Mountfield for £89. It might not be near you but it's worth a look.
https://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/petrol+lawn+mo...
https://www.gumtree.com/for-sale/uk/petrol+lawn+mo...
I bought this one - https://www.aldi.co.uk/self-propelled-petrol-lawn-...
Briggs and stratton engine, steel deck, v well made, very pleased with it - comes with a 5 ltre jerry can too.
It's on the same level (of build quality) as the Husqvarna that I was borrowing from my FiL (until the 4 years of borrowing it wore him down!)
And the warranty is the icing on the cake too.
Briggs and stratton engine, steel deck, v well made, very pleased with it - comes with a 5 ltre jerry can too.
It's on the same level (of build quality) as the Husqvarna that I was borrowing from my FiL (until the 4 years of borrowing it wore him down!)
And the warranty is the icing on the cake too.
I've gone through 2 Honda mowers over the years, both 2nd hand, but I personally wouldn't have a steel deck as they've both rusted through!
Plenty of second hand Honda mowers about, just watch out for too much rust on the deck.
Self propelled was a nice feature on the Honda one.
I now have a Mountfield bought from Screwfix. Seems to do the job, 2 year warranty.
Plenty of second hand Honda mowers about, just watch out for too much rust on the deck.
Self propelled was a nice feature on the Honda one.
I now have a Mountfield bought from Screwfix. Seems to do the job, 2 year warranty.
Toolstation advertising one at your price point
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
As we've been in our house over 10 years the cheapo Mountfield we bought from one of the sheds (B&Q or Homebase) at the time of moving in is still going strong. I've never changed the oil on it. Only issue at the moment is that I've broken the recoil, can still start it but won't wind back in again, new bit isn't that much from eBay though so hopefully I'll get a good few more years out of it yet.
Appreciated, all good points.
I've been looking a second hand over the past few days however bar a few right knackered looking things, most semi decent ones are a good few miles away (up to 100 mile trip) and giving spate time is tight, I'm loathed to make a trip only to be met with something that isn't that great.
I've been using a borrowed Mountfield self propelled up till now, fairly old but it didn't run that well and the bag back flowed and started clogging the blade rather easily but it's now gone to pastures new but it was an OK machine but giving it had a few age related issues and wear, buying used makes me wonder if I'd end up with something similar.
There are a couple of machine for sale fairly near by... but ones a Sovereign and looks well used and the others are cylinder movers and I don't think that'd suit the terrain that I'm faced with. Think a small, roughly seeded paddock rather than a nice flat lawn. Hence, it will never be cut to a felt esque finish... just run over to about an inch weekly.
My local hardware store has a 40cm McCulloch non self propelled for £159.99...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Any thoughts on this?
The Aldi one looks OK for £199.00 too, the three year warranty looks tempting. My other option is a wander round B&Q and Machine Mart but to be honest, I'm out my depth so appreciate all the pointers.
I've been looking a second hand over the past few days however bar a few right knackered looking things, most semi decent ones are a good few miles away (up to 100 mile trip) and giving spate time is tight, I'm loathed to make a trip only to be met with something that isn't that great.
I've been using a borrowed Mountfield self propelled up till now, fairly old but it didn't run that well and the bag back flowed and started clogging the blade rather easily but it's now gone to pastures new but it was an OK machine but giving it had a few age related issues and wear, buying used makes me wonder if I'd end up with something similar.
There are a couple of machine for sale fairly near by... but ones a Sovereign and looks well used and the others are cylinder movers and I don't think that'd suit the terrain that I'm faced with. Think a small, roughly seeded paddock rather than a nice flat lawn. Hence, it will never be cut to a felt esque finish... just run over to about an inch weekly.
My local hardware store has a 40cm McCulloch non self propelled for £159.99...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Any thoughts on this?
The Aldi one looks OK for £199.00 too, the three year warranty looks tempting. My other option is a wander round B&Q and Machine Mart but to be honest, I'm out my depth so appreciate all the pointers.
Having read some of the reviews for the Screwfix item linked in the previous comments, one chap mentions the plastic deck secummbed to stone impact pretty easily... given my 'lawn' has a the odd stone or ten lurking, plus the roadside border is a bit rough and ready... perhaps a metal deck would be better, in the sense it'd be a bit more robust.
Damn my over-thinking!
Damn my over-thinking!
I’d get one of these
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
I bought the bigger version 2 years ago and I just put petrol on it. Always starts first pull.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
I bought the bigger version 2 years ago and I just put petrol on it. Always starts first pull.
So for £159.00 it's a toss up between the McCulloch...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Or the Mountfield...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
Or Einhell...
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
I have no idea, though leaning towards that McCulloch one...
https://homehardwaredirect.co.uk/ProductInfo?Produ...
Or the Mountfield...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mountfield-hp164-39cm-1...
Or Einhell...
https://www.toolstation.com/einhell-99cc-40cm-self...
I have no idea, though leaning towards that McCulloch one...
We got a McCulloch one last year, same or very similar to the one you linked, think it was £130 odd from B&M.
We use it on rough, stoney ground; despite not being SP find it doesn't feel heavy, copes okay with hitting the odd stone, or 10.
Starts pretty much first pull of the cord; only 'annoyance' is having to adjust cut height at each wheel, rather than on lever doing them all.
My other port of call in a search would be Argos.
Eta - there's no 'chute' at the back on ours for cut grass to travel through before the collector so find it copes with damp/wet grass quite well
We use it on rough, stoney ground; despite not being SP find it doesn't feel heavy, copes okay with hitting the odd stone, or 10.
Starts pretty much first pull of the cord; only 'annoyance' is having to adjust cut height at each wheel, rather than on lever doing them all.
My other port of call in a search would be Argos.
Eta - there's no 'chute' at the back on ours for cut grass to travel through before the collector so find it copes with damp/wet grass quite well
Edited by Pinkie15 on Friday 17th May 10:33
We bought a plastic deck McCulloch nearly 20 years ago.
It's had a spark plug, and one oil service in that time, along with 6 inches of petrol pipe from tank to carb.
This year I've had to replace the engine brake cable (used a bike brake cable), and the pull cord has been shortened by about 18 inches over the years.
Fires up first pull of the cord.
This model
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/McCulloch-Lawnmac-3540P...
It's had a spark plug, and one oil service in that time, along with 6 inches of petrol pipe from tank to carb.
This year I've had to replace the engine brake cable (used a bike brake cable), and the pull cord has been shortened by about 18 inches over the years.
Fires up first pull of the cord.
This model
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/McCulloch-Lawnmac-3540P...
Edited by Convert on Friday 17th May 10:49
Thanks gents.
A week of scouring the ads hadn't revealed much bar some really dear, industrial looking machines or entry level ones priced between £80 and £125 but time I factor in my time, costs and the fact a used machine is much like a used car and could be a world of pain, I think I'd sooner spend the extra and get something new with a bit warranty.
I keep getting budget creep and looking at self propelled stuff with huge cutting decks and I'm sure they'd be wonderful but not sure I could justify £250+ on a machine, though I get the whole 'built to last' concept but there's a line.
Will nip onto B&Q and similar this afternoon, see if there's any offers but if not then I think it's a tough call between the Mountfield at Screwfix and the McCulloch at the local hardware shop.
A week of scouring the ads hadn't revealed much bar some really dear, industrial looking machines or entry level ones priced between £80 and £125 but time I factor in my time, costs and the fact a used machine is much like a used car and could be a world of pain, I think I'd sooner spend the extra and get something new with a bit warranty.
I keep getting budget creep and looking at self propelled stuff with huge cutting decks and I'm sure they'd be wonderful but not sure I could justify £250+ on a machine, though I get the whole 'built to last' concept but there's a line.
Will nip onto B&Q and similar this afternoon, see if there's any offers but if not then I think it's a tough call between the Mountfield at Screwfix and the McCulloch at the local hardware shop.
Wasn't that impressed by B&Qs offerings, a cheap plastic box branded machine for £150 then a MacAlister for £178 that looked equally cheap.
Popped into my local tractor / farm shop, Honda agent... nice bloke and reckoned £150 mowers are fine for the new build manicured lawns and seldom use, but anything 'country' and they'd be falling apart in months. They repair mowers and refuse to look at the cheaper stuff because once it's starting to go, it's usually not far off dead.
He recommended a Honda Izzy 16" push mower, their entry level one with an RRP of £369 but he was fairly confident that it'd be good for 10yers+ if looked after and it'd easily take the abuse it'd no doubt get.
I totally get his logic that cost per year, a 'proper' machine like that is a better but plus they do all in house warranty and repairs, though he said he's only seen a few back for serious impact damage or being tipped on their sides and oil going places it shouldn't.
Is it worth £120 more than that entry level McCulloch I was leaning towards... do I need a mower that'd last ten years... will spending £270 on a lawnmower keep me awake at night...
But I can hear the grass growing as I type!
Edit: RRP of £369 but Honda are doing £100 off just now so £269...
Popped into my local tractor / farm shop, Honda agent... nice bloke and reckoned £150 mowers are fine for the new build manicured lawns and seldom use, but anything 'country' and they'd be falling apart in months. They repair mowers and refuse to look at the cheaper stuff because once it's starting to go, it's usually not far off dead.
He recommended a Honda Izzy 16" push mower, their entry level one with an RRP of £369 but he was fairly confident that it'd be good for 10yers+ if looked after and it'd easily take the abuse it'd no doubt get.
I totally get his logic that cost per year, a 'proper' machine like that is a better but plus they do all in house warranty and repairs, though he said he's only seen a few back for serious impact damage or being tipped on their sides and oil going places it shouldn't.
Is it worth £120 more than that entry level McCulloch I was leaning towards... do I need a mower that'd last ten years... will spending £270 on a lawnmower keep me awake at night...
But I can hear the grass growing as I type!
Edit: RRP of £369 but Honda are doing £100 off just now so £269...
Edited by Davie on Friday 17th May 15:30
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